Are you interested in the history of your town or village but unsure how to go about finding out more? In this age of information, unearthing the secrets of the past has never been easier. As more and more people become interested in tracing their family roots, the same skills can often be applied to discovering the history of your community.
Here are a few essential tips to help you on your way to discovering the story of your local area.
Visit your local museum.
Local museums are an excellent source of original local information. As well as artefacts and historic items relating to your town, most local museums will house documentary and photographic material. The museums staff will usually be more than happy to help you with your research, so it's often a good idea to phone ahead and give them a chance to dig out the information you're after!
Visit you local archives.
Every county has a county record office. These offices will hold both official material created by local government and unofficial material donated by community members, clubs and companies. Although record offices vary from county to county, the material on offer will usually be substantial, ranging from rate books and council minutes to land deeds, account books and photographs. As with local museums, it's best to let them know you're coming in advance.
Contact local heritage societies.
Local heritage societies can also be a valuable source of information in furthering your research. Local historians are often engaged in their own research projects and have their own, unpublished archives of photographs and information. The contact details of these organisations will often be listed on your local council website, so don't hesitate to get in touch and broaden your research with information from those in the know!
Search the online National Archives.
The National Archives are a vast source of information, allowing you to uncover the history of a place, building or institution with a minimum of fuss. If you're looking to find historical information about a particular place, the National Archives will hold information, maps, plans and surveys. As the information is all online, you also benefit from being able to carry out the research from the comfort of your own home.
Ask your neighbours.
There's often no better source of information about a particular area than the people who live there. Speak to some of the older residents in your community and they might be able to provide you with unique history of the area. Local online forums are also an excellent way to connect with passionate, community-minded people who might hold more information about your area.
0 comments:
Post a Comment